March8, 2019

WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement:

“It’s outrageous that the State Department rescinded its 'Women of Courage' award from Jessikka Aro, a journalist recognized by our Embassy in Finland for her courage in the face of intimidation while holding the powerful to account. That’s why I’m even more troubled by press accounts suggesting the Department revoked Aro's award because of her frequent criticism of President Trump. One of the hallmarks of America is our First Amendment right to freedom of speech, and it’s one of the core democratic principles the State Department promotes abroad. That the Department would rescind Aro’s award for the exercise of this right is truly shameful.”